Revision Techniques
EXCELLENCE ● FRIENDSHIP ● RESPECT
Mnemosyne – the personification
of memory
You need
me on your
side!
She’s one of
the muses.
How should you revise?
• In manageable chunks.
• Use several different strategies in one revision
session.
• Use “triggers” – word/image/sound that reminds
you of other information.
• Plan a reward, (if you need one!)
“Learning is its own reward.”
Ms Matthews
“I revisit the notes I have
made and re-write them,
learning them off by
heart.
I then practise applying
my knowledge to
questions.”
Mr Walker
“ I highlight key areas of
text using a highlighter
pen and make bullets
point notes in my own
words.”
Mr Gower
“Flashcards with
brief summaries
of information
are really useful –
it is easier to
memorise short
pieces of
information”
Mr Mastrolonardo
“I create mind
maps and make up
rude mnemonics!”
Mr Bezuidenhout
“ For maths revision
exam paper questions
are a good idea. I also
make revision summary
cards.”
Ms Wilson
“I practise exam
questions and the use
the mark scheme to help
with problem questions.
Mymaths is really useful
too.”
Learning to Learn:
Revision Strategies
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© Boardworks Ltd 2011
Learning objectives
What are multi-sensory
revision strategies?
Icons key:
For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation
Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page
Flash activity (these activities are not editable)
Extension activities
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Sound
Video
Web addresses
Printable activity
© Boardworks Ltd 2011
Multi-sensory revision strategies
Here are some ideas that will involve a variety of senses.
Revision strategy 1:
Create a PowerPoint
presentation of your notes.
Use animation so you can test yourself.
Use images,
colour
and sound
…to create strong visual
and aural memories of
information.
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Revision strategy 2: mind maps
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Revision strategy 3: role play
Revision strategy 3:
Get together with friends
and role play.
One good role play game is ‘Introductions’ or ‘Mingle’. Write
down key terms, theories, historical or fictional characters,
etc. on slips of paper. Each person takes a slip of paper.
Introduce yourself to each member of the group and
introduce yourself as whatever is written on your piece of
paper. You must explain who or what you are and key points
about yourself. The other person then does the same.
Then you swap slips and go and introduce yourselves to
others as whatever is written on your new slips of paper.
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Revision strategy 4–5: recording and location
Revision strategy 4:
If you are a strong auditory learner, try recording yourself
reading your notes or explaining them and then playing it
back to yourself at regular intervals. You can do this while
you’re out running, on the bus, lying on your sofa or before
you go to bed.
Revision strategy 5:
Alter the location of your
revision. If you are a
kinaesthetic learner, try doing
some revision while you’re
outside; sitting or walking.
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Revision strategy 6: music
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Revision strategy 7–8: talking and teaching
Revision strategy 7:
Revise with others. Talking through ideas and testing or
teaching each other is an excellent way to reinforce
knowledge and help it to stick in long term memory. Just be
sure not to get distracted by discussions over the millions
of things that are more interesting than revising!
Revision strategy 8:
There is no better way of learning
something than by teaching it!
Involve your family, friends and relatives and
get them to let you teach them what you have
learned in your courses.
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Revision strategies 9–10: games and colours
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A balanced revision session
1. Making revision
cards from
notes/revision guide
2.
Memorising
revision cards
4. Giving my revision
cards to mum and
getting her to test me
3. Completing a
Bitesize test